Why grassroots cricketers returning to action this weekend will need to show great ‘self-discipline.’

That’s the view of Gosport Borough CC captain Lee Harrop after the recreational game was given the green light to resume.

The ECB have revealed a raft of new covid-safe rules and regulations that clubs and players must abide by.

They include a ban on the use of applying saliva to the ball, recently described by Boris Johnson as a ‘natural vector of disease.’

Harrop said: ‘It’s been frustrating seeing sports like tennis and basketball return, while cricket is still not being played.

‘I understand why because cricket is a longer game, and the social side of it is different.

‘I also understand the no polishing the ball with saliva, but it’s going to be difficult if you’ve spent 20 overs chasing it around a field.

‘Players are going to have to show self-discipline. I am sure some will fall foul of it, not intentionally - it’s just a natural reaction.

‘There will be clubs who will have to be warned by the umpires, but again it won’t be for anything intentional.

‘Players are going to have to temper their emotions with things like high fives.’

While some clubs are returning to action this weekend with intra-club matches, Gosport aren’t one of them.

Instead, they will wait to play in the Southern League Cup tournament starting on July 18.

The council still need to do some work on their Privett Park square, though Harrop was pleased to see similar work being undertaken on another pitch in Rowner this week.

‘The council are keen to get cricket back,’ he said. ‘They were aware of what needed to be done before we’d even contacted them.’